Aalto University’s fashion students have presented their work in Paris. Many young designers aim to work abroad, and fashion weeks are an important springboard for that.
Returning to the roots ignited the spark to create a more personal collection than before. It was revealed today at Paris Fashion Weeks, which ends on Tuesday.
– I started making the collection during the pandemic. Then there was a lot of time to wonder what is really important to me. I wanted to take a deeper look at my roots and background, says Hanhela.
Grandma’s illness made Hanhela think about what she would do if she lost the skills that were important to her. The materials were also important. Hanhela wanted to interfere with their essence as little as possible.
– I wanted them to still be seen as clothes, but there is something about them that is no longer there. Like it evaporated into something.
Many young designers aim for an international career
Hanhela is studying in the master’s program in clothing design at Aalto University. He and a group of other Aalto students presented their work at Paris Fashion Weeks. The premises were arranged by the Finnish French Institute.
The idea was to create a place where students could also network with fashion professionals. During the week, the space was visited by, for example, the international press and talent scouts from fashion houses.
– It is important to ask for contacts and not just wait for someone to knock on the door. You have to know how to use the connections that are created here as well, says Hanna-Lotta Hanhela.
According to Hanhela, there has been interest in his work, and business cards have been grabbed by visitors.
– I don’t know what that means yet, but it’s nice when people are interested in the work.
Gender is no longer the starting point of design
– For many, the idea for a collection arises from a personal question that is examined in a social context, Vänskä says.
International visitors are also interested in how gender is reflected in Finns’ work. Aalto students seem to be ahead of the traditional fashion world here.
– During the work phases, clothes may be mixed for men or women. In our school’s annual shows, the models are often decided on a basis other than gender. The feeling of the garment and who wears it is the most important thing. It is less and less defined by a person’s gender identity, says Peltonen.
– At least it’s not relevant to me who wears the clothes I designed, says Hanhela.
In Naukkarinen’s opinion, however, the world is not yet ready to let go of binary, i.e. dichotomous, gender thinking.
– For sure, at big fashion houses, the division will be binary for a longer time. Although these issues have been talked about in Finland for a long time, the situation is really different outside of Finland, Naukkarinen says.
Paris Fashion Week brings together the fashion elite
Paris Fashion Week is one of the most significant events in the fashion industry. Held twice a year, the week-long event brings together fashion industry professionals from around the world. Before Paris, the fashion weeks tour New York, London and Milan.
During fashion weeks, well-known brands present their collections for the upcoming season in fashion shows, which often garner extensive media attention.
The next Paris Fashion Week will take place in March 2023.